AUTOS

Daimler-Benz Unveils Cell-Powered Car: The parent of the German luxury auto maker Mercedes-Benz presented what it called Europe’s first vehicle powered by a hydrogen fuel cell. The cell, which works like a small power station, eliminates the need for heavy batteries. The company’s Canadian subsidiary, Ballard Power Systems of Vancouver, has already produced an experimental bus powered the same way. Although use of the cell will eventually reduce the weight of an electric vehicle, at the moment, “it’s still far too bulky, too heavy and too expensive,” a spokesman said. He said it will take a few years’ work to make the car small enough for mass production.